Nutrition Pallor (2025)

07/08/2025

*🤱 Breast Milk Expression: What, Why & How*

*Breast milk expression* is the process of extracting milk from the breast, either *by hand* or using a *breast pump*. It's an important skill for many mothers.

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*✅ When & Why to Express Breast Milk:*

1. *When baby can't feed directly* (e.g. premature, sick, or separated from mom)
2. *To relieve engorgement* or blocked ducts
3. *To increase milk supply* through frequent emptying
4. *For storage* when returning to work or school
5. *To donate to a milk bank* (in some cases)

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*✋ How to Express:*

*1. By Hand (Manual Expression):*
- Wash hands
- Gently massage breast
- Place fingers around ar**la (C-shape)
- Press back toward chest, compress and release rhythmically
- Collect in clean container

*2. Using a Breast Pump:*
- Choose manual or electric
- Ensure proper fl**ge fit
- Follow manufacturer's guide
- Pump both breasts if possible for efficiency

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*🍼 Storage Guidelines:*
- Use clean, sterilized containers
- Label with date/time
- Room temp (≤25°C): up to 4 hours
- Fridge (4°C): up to 72 hours
- Freezer (−18°C or lower): up to 6 months
- Thawed milk: don’t refreeze; use within 24 hrs

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*✅ Do’s:*
- Stay relaxed and warm before expressing
- Maintain hygiene—wash hands & equipment
- Store milk safely and label properly
- Practice skin-to-skin if possible to stimulate let-down
- Express regularly if away from baby

*❌ Don’ts:*
- Don’t touch inside sterile containers
- Don’t store milk at room temp too long
- Don’t microwave breast milk (destroys nutrients)
- Don’t ignore pain—it may indicate poor technique or issue

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*Breast milk expression empowers mothers* to continue nourishing their babies even when direct breastfeeding isn’t possible. Support, education, and confidence go a long way!

01/08/2025

Breastmik is far more than just food. It’s a living, intelligent substance tailored to a baby’s needs. Here’s a breakdown to show just how powerful and multifunctional breastmilk really is:
1. Natural Medicine
Antibodies in breastmilk help fight infections and contains white blood cells that actively kill germs.

2. Brain Booster
Rich in DHA and other fatty acids that support brain growth and intelligence. Breastfed babies tend to show better cognitive development and learning capacity.

3. 💖 Bond Builder
Promotes skin-to-skin contact and emotional bonding between mother and baby. Releases oxytocin, the “love hormone,” which helps both mother and baby feel calm and connected.
4. Custom-Made Nutrition
The composition of breastmilk changes by the hour, the day, and the baby’s age.
Colostrum (first milk) is thick, yellow, and packed with immune defense.
Mature milk adapts to give exactly what the baby needs at each stage.
5. Protective for Mom Too
Lowers a mother’s risk of cancers, such as breast cancer

matters

01/08/2025

In August we celebrate National Breastfeeding Month.

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural things in the world, and yet it’s also one of the hardest.
No one tells you how heavy your arms will feel, how tired your body will be, or how much of yourself you’ll give away one feeding at a time.

But they also don’t tell you about the way your baby will look at you like you’re the whole universe. Or how your body will do the impossible creating food, comfort, and safety all at once.

This month isn’t just about breastfeeding. It’s about honoring the women who try, who push through, who stop when they need to, and who love their babies fiercely no matter what that love looks like.

Here’s to the cracked ni***es, the cluster feeds, the pumping in bathrooms and cars, the tears shed in the middle of the night, and the moments of pure magic when everything feels right.

Happy Breastfeeding Month to every mom showing up in the one of the most selfless ways possible. You’re not alone. You’re powerful. And you’re enough.

31/07/2025

P*Glycemic Index (GI)*: A measure of how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels after consumption. Foods are ranked on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher values indicating a more rapid increase in blood sugar.

*Glycemic Load (GL)*: Takes into account both the GI and the amount of carbohydrates in a serving of food. It provides a more accurate picture of a food's impact on blood sugar levels.

*Key Points:*

- *Low GI/GL foods*: Digested slowly, causing a gradual rise in blood sugar levels. Examples include whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, and most fruits.
- *High GI/GL foods*: Digested quickly, causing a rapid spike in blood sugar levels. Examples include white bread, sugary snacks, and refined grains.

*Benefits of Low GI/GL Diet:*

- *Blood Sugar Control*: Helps manage blood sugar levels, beneficial for people with diabetes.
- *Weight Management*: Can aid in weight loss and maintenance.
- *Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases*: May lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

Understanding GI and GL can help you make informed choices about your diet and manage your blood sugar levels effectively.

24/07/2025

*Kenya Nutrient Profile Model (KNPM)*:

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*🇰🇪 Kenya Nutrient Profile Model (KNPM)*

The *Kenya Nutrient Profile Model* was developed by the *Ministry of Health* in collaboration with WHO and other stakeholders. It is a *tool used to classify and evaluate foods based on their nutritional composition*, particularly to *regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods to children* and guide *nutrition policies*.

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*🎯 Main Purpose:*

To *identify foods high in sugars, salt, saturated fats, or low in essential nutrients*, and *limit their promotion to children*—especially through advertising, packaging, and sponsorships.

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*📦 Key Objectives:*

1. *Protect children from unhealthy food marketing*
2. *Support healthy food choices in schools and public institutions*
3. *Guide food reformulation by manufacturers*
4. *Assist policy-makers in setting nutrition standards*

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*🔍 How the Model Works:*

- Foods and beverages are *categorized* into groups (e.g. dairy, snacks, beverages, cereals).
- Each product is *assessed per 100g or 100ml* for levels of:
- *Total fat*
- *Saturated fat*
- *Sugars*
- *Sodium*
- *Energy*
- Products exceeding set thresholds are considered *"not permitted for marketing to children."*

*🧃 Examples of Application:*

- *Sodas and sugary drinks* often exceed sugar limits → not allowed for child-directed marketing.
- *Packaged snacks with high sodium or fat* → restricted.
- *Breakfast cereals high in sugar* → flagged unless reformulated.

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*📑 Policy & Legal Use:*

- Informs *school feeding guidelines*, *advertising regulations*, and *front-of-pack labeling*.
- Supports Kenya’s efforts to reduce *childhood obesity* and *non-communicable diseases (NCDs)*.
- Aligned with the *Kenya Nutrition Action Plan (KNAP)* and *Food and Nutrition Security Policy*.

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*💡 Why It Matters:*
- Children are heavily influenced by food marketing
- Early dietary patterns impact lifelong health
- The KNPM is part of Kenya’s broader strategy.

27/06/2025

***Should supplements be prioritized over foods?*

*No — supplements should not be prioritized over food*, especially in healthy individuals. While they can *fill gaps*, they are not a replacement for the *complex nutrition* whole foods provide.

Here’s why *food comes first*:

✅ *Nutrient synergy*: Whole foods contain a mix of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that work together — something isolated supplements can't replicate.

✅ *Better absorption*: Nutrients from food are often more bioavailable than from pills.

✅ *Dietary habits*: Relying on supplements may distract from building healthy eating patterns.

✅ *Risk of over-supplementation*: High doses of certain nutrients (like vitamin A, iron, or fat-soluble vitamins) can be harmful.

*Supplements are useful when:*
- There’s a diagnosed deficiency
- Certain nutrients are hard to get from diet alone (e.g., B12 for vegans, folic acid in pregnancy)
- Medical conditions impair absorption

*Bottom line:* Prioritize a balanced, diverse diet. Use supplements when truly needed — guided by evidence, not trends.

19/06/2025

*PES statement* used in *clinical nutrition*:

*What is a PES Statement?*

A *PES statement* is a structured way of documenting a *nutrition diagnosis* in the *Nutrition Care Process (NCP)*. It stands for:

- *P* = *Problem* (the nutrition issue)
- *E* = *Etiology* (the root cause or contributing factor)
- *S* = *Signs and Symptoms* (the evidence for the diagnosis)

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*Purpose/Use:*
- Identifies *what* the nutrition problem is
- Links the problem to its *underlying cause*
- Provides *measurable evidence* to monitor progress
- Guides focused, individualized *nutrition intervention*

*Format:*
*Problem* *related to* *Etiology* *as evidenced by* *Signs/Symptoms*

*Examples:*

1. *Inadequate energy intake*
*related to* poor appetite due to chemotherapy
*as evidenced by* 30% weight loss in 2 months and intake

18/06/2025

*🌍 Sickle Cell Awareness Day: Nutrition as a Supportive Therapy*

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder that affects oxygen delivery throughout the body, often leading to pain, fatigue, delayed growth, and increased infection risk.

While medical management is essential, *nutrition plays a critical supportive role* in improving quality of life for individuals living with SCD.

*Key Nutrition Considerations in SCD:*
🥦 *Higher energy needs* – due to increased red blood cell turnover
💧 *Hydration* – essential to reduce sickling episodes
🧃 *Folate & B-vitamins* – support red blood cell production
🍗 *Iron balance* – monitor intake depending on transfusion status
🛡️ *Antioxidants (Vitamins C & E, Zinc, Selenium)* – help combat oxidative stress
🍽️ *Frequent, nutrient-dense meals* – prevent weight loss and support immune function

*Nutrition can’t cure sickle cell, but it strengthens the body’s ability to cope, recover, and thrive.* Let’s continue to raise awareness and provide holistic care for those affected.

Nutritionist Elah Doc
Emmanuela the Doctor

17/06/2025

**Kangaroo Mother Care & Nutrition: A Lifesaving Pair for Preterm and Low Birthweight Babies*

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is more than just skin-to-skin contact — it’s a powerful, evidence-based approach that improves survival and development in *preterm and low birthweight infants*. But did you know it also plays a vital role in supporting *nutritional outcomes*?

*Why KMC matters for nutrition:*
✅ Promotes early initiation of *exclusive breastfeeding*
✅ Stimulates breastmilk production through close contact
✅ Improves digestion, nutrient absorption, and weight gain
✅ Strengthens mother-baby bonding, encouraging responsive feeding

*When paired with proper nutritional counseling*, KMC significantly reduces the risk of malnutrition, hypothermia, and infections in vulnerable newborns.

Let’s continue to empower caregivers and health workers to prioritize *nutrition within KMC practices* — because every gram gained is a step toward survival and development.

Emmanuela the Doctor

Nutritionist Elah Doc

15/06/2025

Happy father's day to you all incredible dad's...enjoy with a plentiful of nutritious and healthy foods/drinks.
You are important.
Blessed Sunday
Emmanuela the Doctor

Nutrition Pallor
Nutritionist Elah Doc

14/06/2025

***CACHEXIA

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**
*Understanding Cachexia: More Than Weight Loss*

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**What Is Cachexia?*
Cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome marked by:
• Severe weight and muscle loss
• Ongoing inflammation
• Reduced appetite and energy
It commonly occurs in patients with chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart failure, COPD, and kidney disease.

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***Key Symptoms*
• Progressive muscle wasting
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatigue and weakness
• Poor appetite
• Reduced physical function

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** Why It Matters*
• Increases mortality risk
• Weakens treatment response
• Impairs mobility and daily function
• Reduces quality of life
• Often overlooked or mismanaged

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** Nutrition Goals in Cachexia*
✔️ Preserve lean body mass
✔️ Support energy and nutrient intake
✔️ Address inflammation
✔️ Improve strength and quality of life

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** Early recognition, medical care, and nutritional support are key.*

N/B
*Cachexia needs more awareness—and action.

---Nutritionist Elah Doc
Emmanuela the Doctor

10/06/2025

*The First 1000 Days: A Critical Window for Lifelong Development*

From *conception to age 2*, a child undergoes the most rapid period of growth—physically, mentally, and emotionally. These first 1000 days lay the foundation for a lifetime of health and potential.

*Why This Period Matters:*
🧠 *Brain Development*: 80% of brain growth happens in this window—nutrition, care, and stimulation are key.
🥣 *Nutritional Foundations*: Adequate maternal and infant nutrition sets the stage for lifelong health.
💞 *Socio-Emotional Growth*: Early relationships shape a child's emotional well-being and resilience.

*Key Interventions:*
✔️ Maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy
✔️ Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months
✔️ Timely, nutrient-rich complementary feeding
✔️ Responsive care, stimulation, and play

*Long-Term Benefits:*
• Reduced risk of illness and stunting
• Improved cognitive and learning capacity
• Stronger social and emotional development

*Call to Action:*
We must invest in *policies, caregiver support, and community programs* that protect and nurture the first 1000 days. The return? A healthier, smarter, and more resilient generation.

Emmanuela the Doctor

Nutritionist Elah Doc

Nutrition Pallor

07/08/2025

01/08/2025

01/08/2025

31/07/2025

24/07/2025

27/06/2025

19/06/2025

18/06/2025

17/06/2025

15/06/2025

14/06/2025

10/06/2025

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